by Grace Ng

WITH so many new incentives for working women to have babies, one would expect it to be standing room only for mums-to-be in offices across Singapore.

But there are still some places where the stork fears to tread: places where stress levels can go sky-high, where schedules stretch past midnight, where standing or walking for hours is the order of the day, where suitcases sit ready for the next last-minute overseas assignment or where figure-hugging outfits are the office uniform.

Women who work in environments with one or more of these characteristics often have to take a time-out when the baby arrives.

As one male manager at a multinational company - who declined to be named as he was uncomfortable with being quoted on his views of pregnant women - points out: 'I have seen quite a few career women delay having kids till their mid-30s.

'When they decide to try for kids, some have difficulties conceiving - and their frequent travel and stressful work most probably make it tougher.'

Human resources (HR) executives and executive search firms note that there are indeed some jobs where pregnancy might be at risk, where the health of mother and unborn child might be in jeopardy.

Common jobs tossed up as tough environments for mothers-to-be - and wannabe mums - include investment banking, law and front-line sales, which involve running after clients.

Some other jobs are a no-no for pregnant mums because they are dangerous, such as accident and emergency medical work and laboratory tasks involving radiation or chemicals.

And then there is the job category where appearance and a svelte figure is paramount: models or air stewardesses who are required to fit into costumes like Singapore Airlines' sexy sarong kebayas.

While new rules will soon be enacted to protect pregnant employees from discrimination, there are also subtle push factors which put expectant mums off iffy job environments.

While stress and relatively long hours are common among many white-collar jobs, it is the unpredictable nature of work that can really get a pregnant woman or a new mum bluer in the face than baby blues.

As Singaporean Anne Lim, a former investment banker who quit her job in London attests, erratic schedules and frequent travelling can make it virtually impossible for an expectant mum or a mother with young kids to cope with parenthood.

Ms Lim, who recently gave birth to a baby boy, said: 'The equity markets were roaring back then, and it was a fabulous time for all the boys in the bank - except me, the sole woman on the mega project we were working on.

'I was getting morning sickness and not enough sleep. I never knew when the day's work may end, and the frequent changes made it difficult for my body to cope.'

Frequent travel overseas, tight deadlines and the high expectations of a demanding boss gave Ms Lim dizzy spells. Finally, she threw in the towel and quit six months into her pregnancy. She moved back to Singapore where her parents were waiting to pamper her.

So is quitting the only solution for women who are in 'toxic' jobs?

Yes and no, say HR experts, who give the following options for mums:

Take unpaid leave

FOR some high-octane jobs, the reality is that something has to give when juggling motherhood and career.

Sometimes, this may mean quitting because the job is just not conducive for mothers who have just given birth; sometimes a short period of unpaid leave may help you to recharge before jumping back in.

Taking on a less challenging project or role to spend more time at home with baby and hubby should be viewed as putting your best foot forward to improve your quality of life - rather than a step backward into the slower 'mummy track'. Your child's first step is definitely one you do not want to miss.

Talk to your boss early

AS WELL as discussing your career path and prospects without delay, voice your concerns clearly. Some women, especially those on the partnership track, may fear they will fall behind if they need to demonstrate certain skills or work experience to advance.

Show the boss how significantly you have contributed to the organisation, and explain how you can ramp up your productivity after giving birth. Put forward a tentative timeline - a period of stable hours and less travel and when you are likely to be able to return to a full workload.

Mr D M Arulraj, head of human resources at Standard Chartered Bank Singapore, also encourages pregnant employees to discuss with their line managers how they can create a safe and suitable working environment.

StanChart uses a 'pregnancy checklist' with factors such as number of hours that a pregnant worker has to stand, exposure to nauseating smells, getting early shift work, posture and overtime or evening work.

Switch to a stable job that develops different skills

EXPLAIN clearly to your boss that you intend to hone other abilities in your new, less fast-paced, role. Demonstrate how this will help you perform even better when you return to your old job.

For instance, a front-line relationship manager may opt to move to human resources for a while to lift her skills in group management and organisation.

Find a supportive, large company

ALL things being equal, a larger company will have a lot more resources, ranging from technology support to manpower, to cover your duties during your pregnancy. You will also have more choices of different roles to switch to.

This consideration should obviously have been factored into your choice of job long before you became pregnant. Some baby perks to look out for: OCBC Bank has a childcare centre within its office building for staff to leave their babies and toddlers during the workday.

StanChart has lactation rooms with refrigerators, comfy armchairs, a Germitrol air steriliser and even the latest parenting magazines for breastfeeding mums.

This article was first published in The Straits Times on August 25, 2008.